Getting the Gear?

[Gidds]

I've been certified for awhile but I have very little diving experience because I went away to college right afterwards and, as many of us know, college students generally have very little money (plus it's COLD in Maine and I'm not drysuit certified). Now I'm a grad student (almost finished) so occaisonally I have slightly more cash than an undergrad. I own my snorkel gear of course and I have a nice 7mm wetsuit but I'd like to own all my own gear. I was hoping for some tips for young people about how to get the gear like: should I buy some pieces used? Are there rent-to-own programs? What piece of gear should I save up for first? (BCD I'm thinking?) How long did it take you to be able to get all your own gear? Is there some strategy to gear-getting like lurking around and waiting for sales?

 

[ScubaSixString]

I've been certified for awhile but I have very little diving experience because I went away to college right afterwards and, as many of us know, college students generally have very little money (plus it's COLD in Maine and I'm not drysuit certified). Now I'm a grad student (almost finished) so occaisonally I have slightly more cash than an undergrad. I own my snorkel gear of course and I have a nice 7mm wetsuit but I'd like to own all my own gear. I was hoping for some tips for young people about how to get the gear like: should I buy some pieces used? Are there rent-to-own programs? What piece of gear should I save up for first? (BCD I'm thinking?) How long did it take you to be able to get all your own gear? Is there some strategy to gear-getting like lurking around and waiting for sales?

Largely a matter of opinion, but i'd go with regs first. THEN bcd.

Almost all my gear is used. I bought my first set from a dive shop that was replacing all their older models with new stuff. Got a BC and reg set (reg, octo, spg) for around $200. All of it was well maintained.

Unfortunantly, all of that was stolen.

Ebayed my current stuff. Not too bad. But be real careful. A negative rating on a seller's profile is small consolation if the gear he sells you kills you.

 

[toodive4]

Lots of discussion all over the board on this... I've got a ton of top quality gear... let me know what you need... and I might be able to help you out...

K

 

[ktrjc]

Prior to purchasing my gear I read a "bunch" of stuff on this board. I made lists of things I wanted, marked off some brands and/or models. Once I had my list done I started shooping around and buying my stuff. I have no idea on order, some say BCD first then regs, or regs then BCD, that is something you will probably get a lot of opinions on; just like buying at your LDS or through the Internet. I got a couple of things online and others I bought from my LDS (had a great sale on a very good reg.), like you I am poor and saving money was a big factor. Still need my BCD, saving up for that, hopefully I will be in the right place at the right time to get a deal on it.

Good Luck
Ken

 

[Mantasscareme]

I'd try to get a dive computer ASAP. Since dive computers aren't normally concidered essential equipment, not all shops have them for rent, but trust me, you'll need one. As a beginner, you probablyt have trouble with judging ascent rate, timing your safety stops ect. right? I'm not much more experienced than you, and those are my problem areas. A dive computer makes all of this much easier by telling you whether to slow down/speed up ascents, when to start safety stops, and so on. You also don't need to worry about the tables with a dive computer. Something cheap to mid range like a Dacor Darwin (in my opinion) will do just as well as the expensive ones. The only difference is that the amount of air remaining is displayed on a separate dail and isn't factored into the computers calculations. The fancy air-integrated ones can cost twice as much. That's my opion
happy diving
-Mantasscareme

 

[crpntr133]

I figured that my tanks would be the last item that I bought but I got a deal on a couple used ones so I have them before my own regs..does this tell you anything? Buy what you can when you can. Also beware of buying online from a unauthorized dealer.

 

[Damselfish]

If the place you rent from has good rental regs I'd lean towards getting a BC first because of comfort and fit, having something you are used to is very helpful. Regs don't take much getting used to. But if the regs are junk I'd buy a reg first and rent the BC. (Of course if the regs are junk, the BCs may not be much better.) Or, you can look at what what it costs you to rent each vs. what they will cost to buy and see which way saves you the most money. If you're scouting around for good deals, it might just be a matter of what you find first.

I'd try to get a dive computer ASAP. Since dive computers aren't normally concidered essential equipment, not all shops have them for rent, but trust me, you'll need one. As a beginner, you probablyt have trouble with judging ascent rate, timing your safety stops ect. right? I'm not much more experienced than you, and those are my problem areas. A dive computer makes all of this much easier by telling you whether to slow down/speed up ascents, when to start safety stops, and so on. You also don't need to worry about the tables with a dive computer. Something cheap to mid range like a Dacor Darwin (in my opinion) will do just as well as the expensive ones. The only difference is that the amount of air remaining is displayed on a separate dail and isn't factored into the computers calculations. The fancy air-integrated ones can cost twice as much. That's my opion
happy diving
-Mantasscareme

Dive computers are great but in most cases I wouldn't buy one before my own BC or reg, especially for typical local diving. The main reason to have one is to more convieniently get additional time on repetitive multilevel dives where you would run out of time using straight tables, which is unlikely to happen with a newish diver in Maine. Features like ascent rate monitors or saftey stop countdowns are nice but you need to be able to do all the same things without the computer as well anyway. There are actually lots of differences between computers besides whether they are air-integrated or not.

 

[spectrum]

On the order to buy the first thing to know is what is the hardest thing for you to rent. If you have a challenging body from it may be the wetsuit which you have followed by the BCD. Nearly any regulator set from a decent shop will serve the novice diver well. After the BC and regulator set and if you are going to dive a lot then invest in cylinders so you can afford some repetitive dives and be ready to go on short notice. Computer is way down on the list for a novice especially if $$ is an issue, master your tables, most novice dive days wont even register on the tables. Unless you fast track it to deep water with a boating crowd.

Thinking used? remember to budget a service visit for a regulator set or a BC, the inflator valve shoild be freshly serviced.

Pete

 

[Mandy3206]

I bought my first reg set, BC and tank from a buddy that was getting married, some people sell all the toys when they marry, I've bought bikes, scuba gear, motorcycles and a Boston Whaler 13' with a Johnson 55. All from guys that where getting married.

Just rent a few months to know what you like from the gear and then get a good deal with some one leaving the sport.
Many people certify during the summer and buy all the gear and then decide at the end of the summer that diving isn't for them and quit, resulting in selling the new gear with less than 10 dives in it.

Eventually you will want to upgrade and buy specific items from specific manufacturers, but that's when you know what you want and why you want it.

Ebay is a good source for new or used gear, but make sure you buy from a reputable seller your expensive gear.

 

[Mantasscareme]

Dive computers are great but in most cases I wouldn't buy one before my own BC or reg, especially for typical local diving. The main reason to have one is to more convieniently get additional time on repetitive multilevel dives where you would run out of time using straight tables, which is unlikely to happen with a newish diver in Maine. Features like ascent rate monitors or saftey stop countdowns are nice but you need to be able to do all the same things without the computer as well anyway. There are actually lots of differences between computers besides whether they are air-integrated or not.

I still say diving with a dive computer, even for short times on shallow depths, is safer.